Caputo: Mike Babcock's made-over Red Wings don't whine

This year's Red Wings playoff run has involved a sizable amount of referee-baiting from Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle, and now Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, who received a $10,000 fine for his description the penalty on Matt Walker as, "The worst call in the history of sports." The Oakland Press's Pat Caputo believes that the Red Wings have battled past non-goal calls (see: Game 3 of the Wings-Ducks series) and other referee-induced indiscretions because Wings coach Mike Babcock won't allow them to do so. As such, Caputo pays tribute to Babcock's not-so-extreme Red Wings makeover:

May 27, The Oakland Press: When he arrived here, Babcock was the outsider replacing a coach, Dave Lewis, who had been with the Red Wings forever and was well-liked by the players. There was friction there initially, but Babcock handled it well. He has played an important role in the development of the Red Wings young players, and he has a great feel for when to change up lines and defensive pairings.

He has also made the right moves with his goalies. Babcock pulled Dominik Hasek in favor of Chris Osgood at just the right time in the opening-round series vs. Nashville last year. Now that Osgood has performed so well, it seems like the obvious call to start him in these playoffs. In truth, it wasn't an easy decision, because Osgood often played poorly during the regular season.

Before coming to the Red Wings, Babcock came within one game of winning the Stanley Cup title with Anaheim in 2003. It means he has taken four of his last six teams to the final four.

The maneuvering by the Red Wings' front office during the salary cap era has been brilliant. Their scouting and player development might be the best in all of team sports. The result is a breathtaking roster top-heavy with stars, and bottom-loaded with prospects for the future and depth.

Guess that's why their coach is often overlooked. You'll never hear Mike Babcock complain about it, though. Thankfully, compared to many of his colleagues in the NHL, it's not his nature.